Lord’s Day, Vol. 12. No. 33

Reading of the Old Testament Scriptures

63% of the year has passed and the church has passed also the 63% mark in the reading of the Old Testament in this year of grace 2024.

How have you been progressing in your Bible reading? I pray that God’s people will persevere in our reading so that we may grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).

Let us recall three biblical pointers to aid our reading: (1) Pray (2) Patience (3) Perseverance.

Begin each reading with prayer for the Holy Spirit to illumine our understanding that we may learn of Christ and glorify Him – John 15:26 (KJV) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

This was the psalmist’s prayer for our emulation – Psalm 25:5 (KJV) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

It takes time to read and meditate upon the Word of God. Find a quiet place without distraction as did Isaac who went out into the field to meditate whom Scripture commended (Genesis 24:63).

A word of encouragement from our Lord Jesus in the parable of the sower – Luke 8:15 (KJV) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The church in Philadelphia was commended by the Lord for their steadfastness in keeping the testimony of Christ, termed having “kept the word of my patience” – Revelation 3:10 (KJV) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Solomon rightly observed the blessing of persevering in the meditation of the Scriptures is the imbibing of God’s wisdom. Prudence is the wisdom of ordering our lives according to the will of God (Prov. 2:1-7).

The power of God’s Word to grant peace in the heart is an immeasurable blessing. This is a restful state of the heart that God imparts to the soul that tarries with Him – Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The prosperity of the soul, the rejoicing of the heart comes together to the praise of His Name – Joshua 1:8 (KJV) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

The blessing of diligently studying God’s Word is prudence, peace and praise. Indeed, may His blessings be richly outpoured! Amen.

In completing the reading for each book of the Old Testament, members and friends also took time to summarise the spiritual lessons learned and write them on “Post-It” paper and collate them.